The UK National Debate team is coming to WTAMU to engage in a parliamentary-style debate against two members of the WT Forensics team: Chris Bridenbaugh, a junior Communication Studies major and Bethany Beck, a Communication graduate student.

The debate will focus on the topic of political party spending.

“It is going to be a fun experience,” Dr. Trudy Hanson, head of the department of Communication, said. “There is a lot of audience involvement.”The audience will be able to sit on the side of the debaters they support, but will have the freedom to move to the other side if persuaded by their arguments. Audience members may also yell out “for shame” when they oppose the debater or cheer them by saying “hear, hear.” The audience will determine the winner.

According to Dr. Hanson, the debaters are very humorous and students will be able to gain knowledge of the differences between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Bridenbaugh and Beck will specifically debate Richard Robinson and Ben Jasper, two national debate champions from the English Speaking Union. Robinson is a recent graduate of Manchester University and Jasper recently completed his graduate degree in Law at Wadham College.

Robinson and Jasper are in the midst of a tour organized by the Committee on International Debate and Discussion of the National Communication Association Convention. WT was one of only four universities in Texas selected to host the debaters on the nationwide tour.

The debate will be on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. in room 401 of the Classroom Center and is free and open to all students.

For more information, contact Dr. Trudy Hanson at 806-651-2800 or email [email protected].